Method of and apparatus for dispensing and applying labels



Dec. 29, 1970 METHOD OF AND APPARATUS Filed Oct. 16, 1967 C. E. KELLY FOR DISPENSING. AND APPLYING LABELS 3 sheets-sheet 1 Plb 1A- c. E. KELLY Dec. 29', 1970 METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING AND APPLYING LABELS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 16, 1967 a 2 7 2 51/ a c 0 4 8 .w a 5 5 5 I Fl (N 7 A w. T l an I \i\\\\\ V INVENTOR.

CALVIN E. KELLY To AC. PP y At rorney D 29, 1970 c. E. KELLY 3,551,262

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING AND APPLYING LABELS Filed Oct. 16, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet S m 4. THE: 5.

INVENTOR. CALVIN E. KELLY A r iorney Patented Dec. 29, 1970 US. Cl. 156584 23 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The improved product-marking system has supporting means for the elongated member, apparatus engageable with the elongated member for dispensing the pressuresensitive adhesive labels (which labels are mounted in a first spaced relation on a label-bearing carrier strip) and for applying the labels onto the elongated member in a second spaced relation, and drive means connected to one of said supporting means and the label-dispensing and applying apparatus for causing relative movement therebetween. This apparatus has a frame provided with a first rolling means and a second rolling means, supply means on the frame for the label-bearing carrier strip, peel-oil means on the frame adjacent the elongate member and having the label-bearing carrier strip adjacent one side of the peel-01f means while the label-bearing carrier strip is moving in one direction toward the elongated member so that the label continues in such one direction while the carrier strip moves around the peel-off means and continues in another direction away from the elongated member. The label is moved in the one direction by the carrier strip and into engagement with the elongated member as the carrier strip moves in the other direction. Idler means are disposed between the supply means and the peel-oil means for disposing the label-bearing carrier strip in the one direction, and the label is flattened against the elongated member as one of the first rolling means and the second rolling means engages the label. Storage means are provided on the frame for the carrier strip. An improved system for and method of applying such labels is also disclosed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Heretofore identification marking has been applied to elongated members by the following marking systems:

(1) Electrostatic printing apparatus for applying raised characters having a thickness suflicient to be readable through a primer coating, such as paint;

(2) High-pressure paint apparatus for applying textured characters through a stencil in sufficient thickness to be readable through the primer coating;

(3) Coal tar enameling apparatus for imprinting characters which will bleed through the primer coating;

(4) Rotary die stamping apparatus for imprinting depressed characters;

(5 Labeling apparatus for applying labels to such elongated members;

(6) Rolling apparatus for applying textured characters under pressure sufficient to develop a contrast in surface;

(7) Spot-grinding apparatus for applying textured code marking;

8) Apparatus for adding coloring material to metallic elongated members while such metallic elongated members are molten;

(9) Roll-branding apparatus for imprinting raised char acters;

(10) Apparatus for applying raised characters formed from a mixture of metallic fillings and an adhesive;

(11) Welding apparatus for applying raised characters;

(12) Apparatus for chemically etching the characters; (13) Apparatus for etching the characters by shot blastmg through a rubber stencil; and

(14) Apparatus for adding radioisotope's to the elongated members.

Conventional label applicators are shown in the following patents:

US. Pat. Nos. 538,208, Cae, Apr. 23, 1895; 844,302, Cherry, Feb. 12, 1907; 1,231,094, Swallow, June 26, 1917; 3,075,569, Blumberg et al., Jan. 29, 1963; and 3,265,553, Kind et al., July 9, 1966.

The above-mentioned conventional marking systems have one or more of the following defects and disadvantages in that such conventional marking systems:-

(1) Are not adapted to hot applications over 500 F.;

(2) Do not operate at high speeds with respect to the elongated members;

(3) Contact and deleteriously affect the mechanical properties of the elongated members;

(4) Require substantial drying time;

(5) Are complicated;

(6) Do not provide sharp easily readable characters;

(7) Do not provide rapid character change;

(8) Require additional handling and processing;

(9) Are resisted by the industry utilizing the marked product;

(10) Have a high capital cost and maintenance cost;

(11) Provide markings which would not be visible through the primer coat;

(12) Do not have a coloring material which will color certain metals;

(13) Build up marking material on the stencils;

(14) Require masking and rinsing of the marked elongated members;

( 15) Involve handling hazardous materials;

(16) Require collection and disposal of the marking material;

(lt7) Require elaborate and expensive detection equipmen (18) Are not permanent; and

(19) Do not provide rapid change of the mark from one product to another.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is the general object of the present invention to avoid and overcome the foregoing and other difiiculties of and ob ect1 ns to prior art practices by the provision of an improved method of and apparatus for dispensing and applying labels to an elongated member at spaced intervals thereon, with improved method and apparatus: b (1) Provide a permanent mark on the elongated memers;

(2) Provide a readily readable mark through the primer coating on the elongated members;

1 k(3) Eliminate the use of scanners, detectors and the (4) Provide a mark which is inert with respect to primer coating systems;

(5) Provide a mark which is pleasing in appearance;

(6) Do not affect the mechanical properties of the elongated member;

(7) Will operate with a long life in a factory or plant environment;

( 8) Are simple to operate and to maintain;

9) Minimize erroneous marking of the elongated member product;

10) Provide rapid and facile change of the mark from one product to another product;

(11) Are low in capital cost and operating cost; and

(12) Provide properly spaced marking on elongated members to eliminate loss of material identity in the elongated members after severance thereof into smaller sizes.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The aforesaid objects of this invention, and other objects, which will become apparent as the description proceeds, are achieved by providing an improved productmarking system, appratus for applying pressure-sensitive adhesive labels, and a method of labeling an elongated product at spaced intervals.

The label-applying apparatus is engageable with the elongated member for dispensing pressure-sensitive adhesive labels mounted in a first spaced relation on a labelbearing carrier strip and for applying the labels onto the elongated member in a second spaced relation. The apparatus has a frame provided with a first rolling means and a second rolling means, supply means on the frame for the label-bearing carrier strip, peel-off means on the frame adjacent the elongated member and having the label-bearing carrier strip adjacent one side of the peel-off means while the label-bearing carrier strip is moving in one direction toward the elongated member so that the label continues in the one direction while the carrier strip moves around the peel-off means and continues in another direction away from the elongated member. The label is moved in the one direction by the carrier strip and into engagement with the elongated member as the carrier strip moves in the other direction. Idler means are disposed between the supply means and the peel-off means for disposing the label-bearing carrier strip in the one direction. Storage means are mounted on the frame for the carrier strip. The label is flattened against the elongated member as one of the first rolling means and the second rolling means engages the label, and drive means are connected to one of the supporting means and the first rolling means and the supporting means and the second rolling means for causing relative movement therebetween.

The improved method comprises the steps of supporting the elongated member, removing the label-bearing carrier strip from a supply means, guiding the label-bearing carrier strip in one direction toward the elongated member, peeling off the label from the label-bearing carrier strip adjacent the elongated member while the labelbearing carrier strip is moving in the one direction toward the elongated member so that the label continues in the one direction while the carrier strip continues in the other direction away from the elongated member, causing relative movement between the label-carrying carrier strip and the label in opposite directions to move the label in the one direction and into engagement with the elongated member as the carrier strip moves in the other direction, storing the carrier strip, and flattening the label against the elongated member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of this invention reference should be had to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a manually-operated apparatus for dispensing pressure-sensitive adhesive labels mounted in a first spaced relation on a label-bearing carrier strip and for applying the labels onto an elongated member in a second spaced relation;

FIG. 1A is a fragmentary plan view of a label-bearing carrier strip and the spaced labels thereon;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view taken along the line II-II of FIG. 1 in the direction of the arrows of the second rolling means and the storage means with the remainder of the apparatus eliminated for clarity;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 of an alternative em- 4 bodiment of either manually-operated or automaticallyoperated apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a view taken along the line IVIV of FIG. 3 in the direction of the arrows with the upper portion of the handle eliminated for clarity, and showing the storage means for the carrier strip in a first drive position;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view taken along the line VV of FIG. 4 in the direction of the arrows showing the mounting means for the storage means and the structure employed to vary the spacing between applied labels in the second drive position;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary enlarged view taken along the line VIVI of FIG. 5 in the direction of the arrows, showing the locking means between the frame and the mounting means for the storage means in the second drive position; and

FIG. 7 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment showing both a stationary apparatus engageable with and driven by the elongated member, a powered movable apparatus engageable with a stationary elongated member, and also a movable supporting means.

Although the principles of this invention are broadly applicable to dispensing and applying labels to elongated members at spaced intervals thereon, this invention, is particularly adapted for use in conjunction with metallic plates, structural members and the like and hence it has been so illustrated and will be so described.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION With specific reference to the form of this invention illustrated in the drawings, and referring particularly to FIGS. 1, 1A, 2, an apparatus for dispensing pressuresensitive adhesive labels 10 mounted in a first spaced relation d (FIG. 1A) on a label-bearing carrier strip 12 and for applying such labels 10 to an elongated work member 14 (FIGS. 1, 2), such as a metallic plate structural member or the like, in a second spaced relation d (FIG. 1), is indicated genererally by the reference numeral 16.

For the purpose of supporting the plate 14 (FIGS. 1, 2), supporting means such as a table, floor or the like 18 is provided. The apparatus 16 has a frame, suitably a pair of side plates 22 (FIGS. 1, 2) provided with a first rolling means, such as a roller 24 (FIG. 1) rotatable on a shaft 26 in the side plates 22 and a second rolling means, such as the wheels 28 (FIGS. 1, 2) having a radius r (FIG. 2) and rotatable on the shaft 30 in the side plates 22. Supply means, such as a reel 32 having a radius r (FIG. 1), is mounted at 34 on brackets 36 outstanding from a handle 38, which handle 38 is pivotable on the side plates 22 at 40 to provide the desired angle of handle operation. The brackets 36 are mounted at 36a on the handle 38. The handle 38 forms a part of the frame 22.

In order to eliminate slack in the carrier strip 12, biasing means, such as a leaf spring 42 (FIG. 1) is mounted at 44 on the handle 38. The structure employed to code mark the labels 10 comprises a marking means having a resilient roller 46 (FIG. 1), suitably rubber or the like, pivoted at 48 on brackets 59, and engageable with a marking roller 52 with the carrier strip 12 therebetween. Such marking roller 52 is adjustably mounted at 54 in slots 56 in the brackets 59. The brackets 59 are mounted at 59a on the handle 38. The marking roller 52 is provided with marking pins 58 arranged on the periphery of the marking roller 52 to perforate and thus mark the labels 10 with the identification required for the par ticular product.

For the purpose of separating the labels 10 from the carrier strip 12, peel-off means, such as a peel-01f blade 60 (FIG. 1), is mounted at 61 on side brackets 62 affixed to the side plates 22 at 64, 66, the angular position of the peel-off blade 60 being variable by means of positioning slats 68 in the side brackets 62. This peeloff blade 60 is adjacent the plate 14 and has the carrier strip 12 adjacent one side (i.e. the top side as viewed in FIG. 1) of the peel-off blade 60 while the carrier strip 12 moves in a direction toward the plate 14 so that the label continues in the one direction toward the plate 14 while the carrier strip 12 is bent around the peel-ofl? blade 60 and continues in another direction away from the plate 14 in the direction of the arrows of FIG. 1. As the peel-off blade 60 and label 10 are travelling in the same direction as the plate 14, the label 10 moves into engagement with the plate 14. The carrier strip 12 is moving toward the wheels 28. Idler means, such as the idler roller 70 (FIG. 1), is mounted on the side plates 22 at 40 between the supply reel 32 and the peel-off blade 60 to dispose the carrier strip 12 iu the one direction toward the plate 14.

Storage means, such as a storage reel 72, having a radius r (FIG. 2) is mounted on the shaft 30 in the side plates 22 for receiving the carrier strip 12 from the peel-off blade 60. As shown in FIG. 2 the shaft 30 has a cotter pin 74 on one end (the left end as viewed in FIG. 2), and a nut 76 on the other threaded end thereof and is journaled in bearings 78 on the wheels 28.

A unidirectional means is employed to limit the movement of the apparatus 16 in a direction to the right, as

the rollers 24 and the wheels 28, in this case the roller 24, engages such label 10.

Drive means are connected to one of the supporting means 18 and the roller 24 and the sup porting means 18 and the wheels 28 for causing relative movement therebetween and for moving the carrier strip 12 along its above-described path of movement. In FIGS. 1, 2, the drive means is the motive power of the operator pushing on the handle 38. The storage reel 72 may be connected to one of the roller 24 and the wheels 28. In the showing of FIGS. 1, 2, the storage reel 72 is positively connected by means of the ratchet wheel 80, pawl 82 and spring 86 to the wheels 28 and is operable by such relative movement.

For the purpose of adhesion testing the pressure-sensitive adhesive labels 10, the plate 14 was clamped by a C-clamp (not shown) to a table (not shown) or the like. One half of the label 10 to be tested was pressed to the plate 14 and then bent back 180 and secured between two plates (not shown) by a plurality of screws (not shown). A scale (not shown) was connected to one of the plates and a direct reading of adhesion strength in ounces/inch read on the scale. These results and other characteristics of the labels 10 are shown in Table I beviewed in FIG. 1. This unidirectional means has a 25 low:

TABLE I.ADHESION TESTS OF LABEL MATERIALS ON CLEAN STEEL PLATES Temperature limits Cost per Adhesion Discernibility Outdoor weathering after During After Storage 1,000 strength" through primer appliapplilite labels Adhesive label oz./inch coat of paint Label material 14 days 28 days cation cation (years) dollar Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing (30., St. Paul, Minn N 0. 72 Good High gloss paper 110 160 3 0.75 No. 116 .do (10-.. 120 160 3 0.75 No. 75 do. Foil mounted paper 110 1 2 2. 25 N0. .do... Vinyl plastic 110 110 3 2. 25 No. 75 Fair Acetate 80 2 1. 30 No. Y-9126 90 o Metalized foil do .do 130 170 3 2.30 Fasson Products 00., Division of Avery Products Corporation, Painsville, Ohio:

Kraft 60# Paper (S277) 120 Excellent" 165 0. 9O FasCal 900 90 Good 225 2 14. 50 710 Chrome Mylar" 85 Fair 120 225 2 12.00

*Aiter 24 hours curing time at room temperature.

**With outdoor weather coating of acrylic spray for moisture protection. "*Feasible for permanent repetitive identification of steel products with suitable weather protective coatings.

ratchet wheel 80 (FIGS. 1, 2) which is carried by the left-hand wheel 28 (FIG. 2) and is engageable by a pawl 82 mounted at 84 on the adjacent side plate 22. The pawl 82 is biased into engagement with the ratchet wheel 80 In order to subject the labels 10 to a delamination test, the labeled plates 14 were piled on a tilting mechanism (not shown) and slid onto horizontally-stacked labeled plates 14 piled on a horizontal stacking bed (not shown). Alternatively the mill workmens shoes were scraped over by a spring 86 (FIG. 1) mounted at 87 on a side plate 22. 55 the labeled plates 14. The results are shown in Table II The label 10 is flattened against the plate 14 as one of below:

TABLE II.DELAMINATION TESTS OF VARIOUS LABEL MATERIALS APPLIED TO CLEAN STEEL PLATES WITH THE APPARATUS OF THIS INVENTION Resistance Resistance Curing Material to mill to sliding No. of time gage shoe plates Adhesive label tests (min) (mils) scraping (see Fig. 3)

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing 00., St.

Paul, Minn.: 30 1 G d F 00 air 7000 "l 12 20 i 4% do t Good. 7005 i3 25 4% {3213;153:331 it? Fasson Products 00., Division of Avery Products Corporation, Paiusville, Ohio:

No. s-277 4 Good a 1 Fair Fair. Fascal 900 10 l 20 {Good Fair to good.

( ..,do Very good.

I 48 hours.

The results of the temperature testing of the labels 10 are indicated in Table III below where gelling is the hubbling of the adhesive:

TABLE III.TEMPERATURE TESTS OF VARIOUS PRESSURE-SENSITIVE ADHESIVES Plate temp erature, Adhesive F.

Fasson Products (30.:

Backing -277 Kraft paper N o. 7000 and N o. 7005. High gloss paper.

Visual results No adverse afiects noted. adhesive loss, 10% gels. 50% adhesive loss, 50% gels. 80% adhesive loss, 10% gels. 100% adhesive loss.

N o adverse atfects noted. No apparent affect.

10% adhesive loss, 10% gels. 50% adhesive loss, 40% gels. 85% adhesive loss.

100% adhesive loss.

ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS It will be understood by those skilled in the art that, alternatively as shown in FIG. 3, the handle 38 is hinged at 38a to permit the upper half 38b of the handle 38 to collapse toward the lower portion 38c, thereby facilitating storage of the apparatus 16 in a shipping container (not shown). In addition, a locking means, such as a hinge 88 provided with a removable hinge pin 90 is utilized.

In order to permit the facile rapid replacement of the supply reels 32, one of the brackets 36 (FIG. 3) is pivotable at 36b and is provided with a clearance slot 360, which slot 360 is registerable with a stud 36d and is locked into the reel-retaining position (FIG. 3) by a knurled nut 36c.

As shown in FIG. 3, in order to position the marking means on the same side of the handle 38 as the supply reel 32, the marking means is removably mounted on the back of the handle 38 by a bolt 50b extending through a plate 50d and a knurled nut 500. This plate 50d is connected at 50c to the brackets 50a.

The structure employed to permit rapid changing of the coding roller 52 provides the shaft 54a with threaded end portions 54b (FIG. 4), which end portions 54b ride in L-shaped slots 56a in the brackets 59 and are secured therein by knurled nuts 540 (FIG. 4). The fixed shaft 54a carries a roller bearing 54d (FIGS. 3, 4) on which the marking roller 52 rotates.

The idler roller 70, shown in FIG. 3, is mounted at 40a on the side plates 22 on the side opposite to the supply reel 32.

Referring now to FIGS. 3, 4, the storage reel 72a is mounted on a shaft 72b journaled in side plates 720, which side plates 72c (FIGS. 3-6) are pivoted on the side plates 22 at 72d (FIG. 3) and are secured in the first driving or gear engaging position shown in FIG. 3 by engagement of a locking pin 72e (biased by a spring 72e', (FIGS. 5, 6) in an upper hole 72 (FIGS. 3, 5, 6) in an arcuate slot 72g in the side plates 720. The pin 72e extends through a hole 72h (FIG. 6) in the side plates 22. The shaft 72b carries a unidirectional clutch 72i (FIG. 4) of the type manufactured by the Form Sprag Co., Warren, Mich. (as an overrunning clutch) and a gear 72L, which gear 72L meshes with the gear 72m on the shaft 30.

Referring to FIG. 4, the shaft 30 carries cotter pins 74a on its right and left-hand end portions. Bearings 78a for the shaft 30 are mounted on the side plates 22. The wheels 28 are pinned to the shaft 30 at 78c and the shaft 30 carries a spacer 78b therebetween. The gear 72m and the gear 72m are secured by a screw 74b to the lefthand end portion (FIG. 4) of the shaft 30.

GEAR CHANGE In order to interchange the gear 72:71 with the gear 72m and hence increase the speed of the carrier strip Wise by means of the tabs 73 (FIGS. 3, 4, 5) on the side plates 720 so that the locking pin 72c engages the lower hole 72f (FIGS. 3, 5, 6), thereby locking the gear 72L in the second driving position to permit the interchange of the gears 72m and 72m.

As shown in FIG. 7, the supporting means may be a conveyor 18 having its rollers 20 pinned at 19 to and rotatable with shafts 18a journaled in bearings 18b. Either selected rollers 20 are driven by a gear reduction unit 180 and a motor 18d or connecting means, such as sprockets (not shown) on the shafts 18a and a chain (not shown) around such sprockets connect the rollers 20 and drive them at the same relative speed. The elongated member in this case is a flanged structural member or I-beam 14a.

A first dispensing and applying apparatus 16a is mounted on mounting means, such as a mounting bar projecting from a mounting post 92 upstanding from the floor, and has its first and second rolling means, the rollers 24a, 24b in engagement with the side of the beam 14a to dispense and apply the labels 10a onto such side. A second dispensing and applying apparatus 16b is similarly mounted in engagement with the top of the beam 14a to dispense and apply the labels 10b thereon.

If, for example, the conveyor 18 is immobilized and becomes a stationary supporting means (that is, the rollers 20 pinned to the shafts 18a will not rotate against the deenergized gear reduction units 180 and motors 18d), a motor 96 (FIG. 7) may be connected to the second rolling means 24b of the second dispensing and applying apparatus 16]) and the mounting post 92a may be mounted on wheels 98 engageable with a track 100 in order to cause the desired relative movement between the nowstationary supporting means 18 and the second dispensing and applying apparatus 16b. The motor 96 is connected by a switch 94 to a suitable voltage supply indicated by the legend AC Supply.

2 Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 7, the same result may be obtained by driving the wheels 98 of the mounting post 92a by a motor 96a.

Referring now to FIG. 3 the apparatus 16 may be also powered by connecting the shaft 26 of its first rolling means 24 to a motor 94b. In this case the gear 72L will mesh with the gear 72m or 72m (not shown) on but carried by shaft 26.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that as the carrier tape or strip 12 is reeled onto the storage reel 72, the speed of the carrier strip 12 and the spacing d be tween labels 10 on the plate 14 will increase and decrease respectively. This change a in the label velocity is indicated by the following relationship:

r =radius of the wheels 28 in feet S =distance traveled by wheels 28 in feet/minute S =distance traveled by the carrier strip 12 in feet/min ute T=time in minutes n=revolutions per minute of the wheels 28 r =any selected storage radius of the tape 12 on the storage reel 72 in feet t thickness of the carrier strip 12 in inches When the spacing d decreases beyond acceptable predetermined limits, say aobut the gears 72m and 72m may be interchanged (FIG. 4), thereby reducing a and minimizing the spacing error by increasing the distance d SUMMARY OF THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THE OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that the objects of this invention have been achieved by providing an improved label-dispensing and applying system, apparatus therefor and a method of applying labels 10 which provide a permanent mark on the elongated members 14, 14a, provide a readily readable mark through the primer coating of the elongated member 14 or 14a, eliminate the use of scanners, detectors and the like, provide a mark which is inert with respect to primer coating systems, provide a mark which is pleasing in appearance, do not affect the mechanical properties of the elongated member 14 or 14a, will operate with a long life in the factory environment, are simple to operate and maintain, minimize erroneous marking of the elongated member product 14 or 14a, provide rapid and facile change of the mark from one product to another product, are low in capital and operating cost, and provide properly spaced marking of elongated members 14, 14a to eliminate the loss of material identity in the elongated members 14, 14a after severance thereof into smaller sizes.

While in accordance with the patent statutes preferred and alternative embodiments of this invention have been illustrated and described in detail, it is to be particularly understood that the invention is not limited thereto or thereby.

I claim:

1. In combination:

(a) a supporting means for an elongated member,

(b) apparatus engageable with said elongated member for dispensing pressure-sensitive adhesive labels mounted in a first spaced relation on a label-bearing carrier strip and for applying said labels onto said elongated member in a second spaced relation, said apparatus having:

(1) a frame having a carriage portion and a handle pivotable on saidcarriage portion to provide a desired angle of handle operation,

(a) said carriage portion having a first rolling means and a second rolling means for movably supporting said frame,

(2) supply means on said handle for said labelbearing carrier strip,

(3) peel-off means on said carriage portion adjacent said elongated member and having said label-bearing carrier strip adjacent one side of said peel-off means while said label-bearing carrier strip is moving in one direction toward said elongated member so that said label continues in said one direction while said carrier strip moves around said peel-off means and continues in another direction away from said elongated member,

(a) said label being moved in said one direction by said carrier strip and into engagement with said elongated member as said carrier strip moves in said other direction,

(4) idler means mounted between said supply means and said peel-off means on one of said carrier portion and said handle for disposing 10 said label-bearing carrier strip in said one direction, and

(5) storage means on said carriage portion for said carrier strip,

(6) said label being rolled against said elongated member as said first rolling means engages said label,

(c) drive means connected to one means of said supporting means and said first rolling means and said supporting means and to said second rolling means for causing relative movement between said supp0rting means and said frame,

(1) said storage means being connected to said second rolling means and being operable by said relative movement, and

(d) unidirectional means in engagement with said second rolling means to prevent reversing movement of said apparatus.

2. The combination recited in claim 1 and having a biasing means on said frame adjacent said supply means preventing slack in said label-bearing carrier strip.

3. The combination recited in claim 1 and having marking means on said frame in engagement with said labelbearing carrier strip for code marking said labels.

4. The combination recited in claim 3 wherein said marking means is mounted on the side of said frame 01)- posite to the supply means.

5. The combination recited in claim 3 wherein said marking means is on the same side of said frame as said supply means.

6. The combination recited in claim 3 wherein said marking means is readily replaceable.

7. The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said frame has a handle and the drive means is manually operated.

8. The combination recited in claim 7 wherein said handle is collapsible.

9. The combination recited in claim 8 wherein said handle has a locking means for maintaining said handle in the operative position.

10. The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said supply means is readily releasable.

11. The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said idler means is on the same side of the frame as the supply means.

12. The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said idler means is on a side of the frame opposite to the supply means.

13. The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said storage means is on said second rolling means.

14. The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said storage means is on said frame and is operatively connected to one of said first rolling means and said second rolling means.

15. The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said storage means is movable on said frame from a first driving position to a second driving position in engagement with said second rolling means to control the velocity of said label and controlling the error in the spacing between said labels.

16. The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said peel-off means has a positioning device for changing its angular disposition on said frame.

17. The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said drive means is connected to said supporting means.

18. The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said drive means is connected to said first rolling means.

19. The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said drive means is connected to said second rolling means.

20. The combination recited in claim 1 and having mounting means for said frame, said mounting means being movable with respect to said supporting means, and said drive means connected to said mounting means.

21. The combination recited in claim 20 wherein said 22. The combination recited in claim 1 and having mounting means for said frame disposed adjacent said elongated member.

23. For an improved product-marking system having supporting means for an elongated member:

(a) apparatus engageable with said elongated member for dispensing pressure-sensitive adhesive labels mounted in a first spaced relation on a label-bearing carrier strip and for applying said labels onto said elongated member in a second spaced relation, said apparatus having:

( 1) a frame having a carriage portion and a handle pivotable on said carriage portion to provide a desired angle of handle operation,

(a) said carriage portion having a first rolling means and a second rolling means for movably supporting said frame,

(2) supply means on said handle for said labelbearing carrier strip,

(3) peel-off means on said carriage portion adjacent said elongated member and having said label-bearing carrier strip adjacent one side of said peel-off means while said label-bearing carrier strip is moving in one direction toward said elongated member so that said label continues in said one direction while said carrier strip moves around said peel-off means and continues in another direction away from said elongated member,

(a) said label being moved in said one direction by said carrier strip and into engagement with said elongated member as said carrier strip moves in said other direction, and

(4) idler means mounted between said supply means and said peel-oil means on one of said carriage portions and said handle for disposing said label-bearing carrier strip in said one direction, and

(5) storage means on said carriage portion for said carrier strip,

(6) said label being rolled against said elongated member as said first rolling means engages said label, and

(b) drive means connected to one means of said supporting means and said first rolling means and said supporting means and said second rolling means for causing relative movement between said supporting means and said frame,

(1) said storage means being connected to said second rolling means and being operable by said relative movement, and

(c) unidirectional means in engagement with said second rolling means to prevent reversing movement of said apparatus.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,173,437 9/1939 Kataja 161 15 2,371,711 3/1945 Schofield et al 161 15 3,222,242 12/1965 Ingalls et al 156-584 3,231,446 1/1966 Satas 156--344 3,321,105 5/1967 Marano 156584 3,461,984 8/1969 Phillips et al 156584 FOREIGN PATENTS 872,896 7/1961 Great Britain 156-526 SAMUEL FEINBERG, Primary Examiner UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,551,262 December 29,

Calvin E. Kelly It is certified that error appears in the above identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 2, line 9, "Cae should read H Coe line 12, July should read August line 52, "with" should read which Column 4, line 74, "slats" should read slots Columns 5 and 6, TABLE I, first column, line 17, "Mylar" shoul read Myler TABLE II, under "Material gage (mils)"', acro from "FasCal 900" insert 3 Column 9, line 9, "aobut" should read about line 75, "carrier" should read carriage Signed and sealed this 29th day of June 1971.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, JR. Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

